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Novak Djokovic has received support from the US Open and the Miami Open ahead of the commencement of the Sunshine Double.
In 2022, Novak Djokovic was barred from entering the United States on the grounds of his no-vaccination status and thus missed out on significant tournaments, including the Masters 1000 events in Indian Wells, Miami and Cincinnati, as well as the US Open.
At the time, the tournaments had conveyed that, while no vaccine mandate was in place for the event, they would be honoring the US Government’s position regarding travel restrictions for unvaccinated foreigners.
In 2023, uncertainty still looms over the Serb’s participation in tournaments in the United States, with Indian Wells just a couple of days away. It was previously revealed that the World No. 1 had applied for an exemption to contest the Sunshine Double, and was awaiting a verdict.
In that regard, the US Open and the Miami Open have now released statements favoring the Serb’s participation in the tournaments in March.
“Novak Djokovic is one of the greatest champions our sport has ever seen. The USTA and US Open are hopeful that Novak is successful in his petition to enter the country, and that the fans will be able to see him back in action at Indian Wells and Miami,” the statement on US Open’s social media page read.
“Novak Djokovic is one of the greatest tennis players of all time and a six-time champion of the Miami Open. We hope he is allowed entry into the country so Floridians have the opportunity to see him compete once again,” the Miami Open stated.
A few days back, Indian Wells tournament director - former World No. 2 Tommy Haas - had similarly expressed his opinion, in support of the five-time Indian Wells champion’s participation.
“I think he wants to play, so we should give him the chance,” Tommy Haas said. “Hopefully, we can have him there. I mean, it would be a disgrace in my eyes if he wasn’t coming to these events, or not allowed to come.”
It is worth noting that the United States is expected to relax travel-related rules for unvaccinated foreigners, come April 10. Thus, while Novak Djokovic’s inclusion in the Sunshine Double is in doubt, the Serb will most likely be allowed to contest the US Open Series in the second half of the season.
"If I'm not allowed, I'm going to pull out before the draw" – Novak Djokovic on his Indian Wells and Miami participation
While Novak Djokovic awaits the verdict on his participation in the Sunshine Double, the Serb stated his plan of action if his appeal was to fall through.
The 35-year-old stated that in case of a negative development, he would be pulling out of Indian Wells before the release of the draw on March 6. This decision by the Serb will help players looking for a better seed or those awaiting a direct main draw entry.
“Whatever the decision is before the draw, if I'm not allowed, I'm going to pull out, of course, before the draw,” he said during a press conference at Dubai Tennis Championships.
Novak Djokovic is out of the on-going tournament in Dubai after facing a straight-sets loss to Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals. If he misses out on the Sunshine Double, the Serb will resume his 2023 campaign directly on clay courts.
